On Tue, 20 Oct 1998, Tony Duell wrote:
> The original machine, no contest!. An emulator can't possibly include the
> wonderful hot-component smells, hardware problems, being able to stick a
> logic probe anywhere you like, the joys of fixing the darn thing, etc.
SO how long is it before some really enthusiastic hacker creates a 3D
emulator using a graphics engine like that in DOOM, that allows you to pop
open the cover and go INSIDE the machine, home in on specific ICs,
resistors, capacitors, etc. and stick a probe or voltmeter up to the
leads? Basically, it would incorporate a CAD system with a SPICE system.
You could then get really agressive and add a toolbar that has a probe,
voltmeter, soldering iron, solder, and a whole warehouse of parts (74xx
series TTL, resistors, caps, transformers, transistors, etc) so you can
make hardware mods to the system. Later on, when they invent the Scent
Printer (a device which emits the smells of the computer you are working
on) you'll be able to know when you've shorted something because all of a
sudden a foul, toxic cloud will be emitted.
I don't think this is so much of a fantasy. Its a lot of work, but it
could be done (ok, save for the Scent Printer part).
Sellam Alternate e-mail: dastar_at_siconic.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever onward.
Coming in 1999: Vintage Computer Festival 3.0
See
http://www.vintage.org/vcf for details!
[Last web site update: 09/21/98]
Received on Tue Oct 20 1998 - 19:59:51 BST